5 great ecotourism destinations

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Now that global warning is pretty much accepted as a reality by most people, many of us have started worrying about the impact that our hobby has on the environment. You don’t have to be an informed environmentalist to know that a plane-trip, for example, is not exactly eco-friendly.

As a matter of fact, few means of transport are eco-friendly nowadays (except for biking maybe, but how would you visit islands, then?). So for all of you who are environmentally conscious, here is a list of ecotourism travel destinations that, where you can explore nature without damaging it, and improve the local economy at the same time.

Kerala, India

Kerala is one of the most beautiful states of India, no small feat in such a large country. It is also the most well preserved, although in the past deforestation used to be a big problem. Luckily, officials started to encourage more and more responsible travel and the preservation of the environment, and so now many of the lush forests are protected and untouched by humans.

There are several protected species in Kerala, and most of them are roaming freely in Rajamala National Park. Thenmala Ecotourism is the first designated eotourism destination in Kerala.

Palau

Thanks to the Palau Conservation Society, Palau is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting ecotourism destinations in the world. This tiny island nation in the Pacific has many unspoiled beaches, and some of the world’s best diving spots, where you can see over 1400 species of fish and 500 species of coral in their natural habitat.

Until now, Palau has been more or less out of the way of mass tourism, and the locals realised the importance of sustainable development before their island was overrun with the typical commercialism of popular tourist destinations.

Borneo, Malaysia

Borneo is one of those amazing places where unique species of plants and animals have developed over time, and they are still being discovered and analysed by scientists. The environment doesn’t bear the mark of human intervention yet, and it is just as wild and fascinating as it must have looked like centuries ago. A very popular spot for ecotourists is Sukau Rainforest Lodge, an eco-friendly resort which uses rainwater and solar energy.

Ecuador

Ecuador is lucky enough to be the proud owner of the Galapagos Islands, which in themselves make a great ecotourism destination, and also a considerable chunk of Amazonian rainforest.

Ecuador makes huge efforts to promote sustainable development in all its beautiful nature spots, and there are some very well organized river tours, forest tours, bird-watching expeditions, etc. It is also very important to note that the Ecuadorian authorities work closely with the indigenous people in promoting tourism,  a commendable initiative.

Alaska

It would be great to believe that Alaska hasn’t changed at all since Jack London so romantically described it, but even if this huge state hasn’t completely escaped the clutches of industrialization, it still makes a great ecotourism destination, with a lot of wonderful natural sites.

There are vast amounts of wild, uninhabited areas in Alaska, and the Alaskan officials have encouraged ‘impact prevention’ long before the term ecotourism was even invented.

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